Trojans need to spend the Christmas break rebuilding their Hampshire/Surrey Regional League title challenge after slipping out of the promotion frame for the first time this season.

The Stoneham club, who have won only once in the past four weeks, dropped to fourth spot in the table after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, who have moved into second place. But coach Julian Archer does not appear unduly worried about Trojans' pre-Christmas blip.

"We have a fantastic team spirit and our 'never say die' attitude nearly got us the point we deserved," he said.

"We have a few injured bodies at the moment, so after the Christmas break we will return a lot fitter and stronger, ready for the final run-in."

Trojans, who topped the table until recently, went to Bournemouth without three key players and, denied the services of drag flick specialist Wayne Shepherd (head injury), struggled to make the most of some early short corners.

Bournemouth's tenth minute opener, which followed some fine saves by Steve Cole, came from a penalty - Charlie Hayward bagging his seventh goal of the campaign after Mark Ellis had been penalised.

Within four minutes Trojans were back on level terms.

John Cowie jinked past three defenders before being felled in the D and, from the resulting penalty corner, former Bournemouth midfielder Simon Lucas scrambled the equaliser.

But Trojans' joy was short lived, with coach Justin Perry breaking down the right flank and cracking home a low drive, which Hayward appeared to deflect into the net.

Although Matt Sykes and Archer went close, mounting Trojans pressure failed to achieve a second-half breakthrough. Bournemouth emerged unscathed from a nervy finale, with Trojans unable to get their short corner routine into gear.

The Stoneham club won't be resting up over Christmas, with key cup matches against Staines (EHA Trophy) and Hampshire knockout holders Fareham looming large on the horizon.